To all SIG members:

At last year's RESNA conference, we established a sidekick system for new conference attendees, linking them up with a RESNA member with similar interests and helping them feel less of an outsider to our family. We feel this is an important project because too large a percentage of folks who come to RESNA for the first time don't come back.

Good ideas are only ideas until we have folks willing to come forward and participate. We need people from each SIG to volunteer an hour or so of their time to help orient first timers to the conference and exhibit hall, get them to the SIG meeting, etc. We will try to link some of you up ahead of time from the registration forms. We'll also be matching folks up at the Registration area, at the Exhibits Opening on Friday evening, and at the First Timers Meeting on Saturday morning. (We'll provide you with more details, along with some tips and guidelines.)

If you are able to devote a little of your time to this effort, please contact Amanda Reinsfelder (areins -at - temple.edu) by May 15th. Let her know your SIG and primary area(s) of work/interest. Also let her know if you are willing to spend a little time staffing tables for a short stint during the conference.

This experience will be beneficial to the first timers and you'll have fun introducing new people to RESNA.

Thanks and hope to see you in Washington, DC!

Ray Grott
RESNA Meetings Committee Chair